Madison County

MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

An essential value of the American lifestyle is the freedom of mobility. The Census asks respondents to identify if they lived in the same residence 5 years prior to the survey. If not, they are asked the location of their previous residence. Between 1995 and 2000, only 54.13 percent of Americans remained in the same house. This rate has been fairly steady: between 1985 and 1990, 53.29 percent remained in the same house.

Regionally, the rates differ greatly. Nevada’s population was the most mobile. About 62.6 percent of Nevada residents in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of the Nevadans living in different houses, 40.2 percent were new arrivals to the state. On the other hand, Pennsylvania’s population was the most permanent. Only 36.5 percent of Pennsylvanians in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of these people, only 15.8 percent were new arrivals to Pennsylvania.

Migration, 2000: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1995

Number

Percent

Same house

35,995

52.27%

Different house

32,864

47.73%

Same county

12,722

18.48%

Different county

19,455

28.25%

Same state

12,744

18.51%

Different State

6,711

9.75%

Elsewhere in 1995*

687

1.00%

Total Population Age 5+

68,859

100.00%

Migration, 1990: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1985

Number

Percent

Same house

25,614

52.19%

Different house

23,464

47.81%

Same county

8,696

17.72%

Different county

14,661

29.87%

Same state

10,375

21.14%

Different State

4,286

8.73%

Elsewhere in 1985*

107

0.22%

Total Population Age 5+

49,078

100.00%

* "Elsewhere" includes those living in U.S. Island Areas, in foreign countries, and at sea.